Kings County councillors have recommended approval of an idling control bylaw for the Village of New Minas.

New Minas clerk treasurer Terry Silver, who wrote to council on behalf of the village commission, said the April 12 village draft bylaw was accepted as presented. Councillor Eric Smith, who represents New Minas, said it‚Äôs basically the same idling control bylaw as Kentville‚Äôs and Wolfville‚Äôs.

Deputy Warden Diana Brothers said, if enforcement of the bylaw would affect the RCMP, the matter should have gone to the police advisory committee first. Smith said the bylaw was discussed with the village commission and the RCMP and, according to the village, the RCMP is willing to look after enforcement.

Councillor Wayne Atwater suggested making the idling control bylaw policy for the whole county: the ‚Äúsmoke will drift across the line‚ÄĚ and, ‚Äúif it‚Äôs good for New Minas, it‚Äôs good for the whole county.‚ÄĚ If the RCMP has time to enforce the bylaw in New Minas, it has time to enforce it anywhere.

Councillor Janet Newton said New Minas is unique, and the village can‚Äôt pass a bylaw unless it goes through the county. She said council should honour the request.

Councillor Basil Hall pointed out the RCMP could enforce the bylaw, or someone else could be appointed to enforce it.

Councillor Jim Taylor suggested approving the bylaw for New Minas, taking a look at the track record of the bylaw in other communities and seeing if there‚Äôs merit to extending it countywide.

Atwater moved to refer the bylaw to the police advisory committee to bring back a recommendation. However, Hall said there is no reason to hold up New Minas. If council later decides to extend it countywide, that would be a good time to seek the input of the RCMP.

Councillor Dick Killam said the bylaw is an educational tool; enforcement is not practical.

The motion to refer the matter to the police advisory committee was defeated. The main motion carried.